What sets a rooster off?

When I went out to the coop this morning I opened the people door to check the food level in the chicken feeder. While the door was open the rooster came out. I closed the door so the hens could come out the pop (is that what it is called?) door. Well the rooster who is an 18 week old RIR started attacking my legs. I was running to get away from him.

What did I do to set him off? Is this a sign he is going to be a mean rooster?

He's just being a rooster and protecting his girls. I don't know from experience, but from what I have read on this site, you need to show dominance to him. He needs to see you as the alpha rooster. There was a great thread a couple of weeks back about this. Try searching for it. I think it will help a lot.

my rooster still tries this with me but I promptly go right for him and give him a little whap on the head. If hes just running at me I wave my arms and go right for him. He still tries once and a while but not often. Yesterday he went after my youngest son who is 6, he wouldnt hit him but then the roo tried the "grandstanding" with the dog and she didnt back down. As was said, you cant be aftaid because your the alpha roo.

I am new to this site....I have lurk around on it for about a yr.....Such good info! Anyway, about your rooster......mine is most snippy in the mornings when I first open the coop....I try not to do a lot of chores out there first thing....I let everyone out and then wait a while until he has settled down and makes his way out into the yard and becomes more interested in hunting bugs....We just added two pgymy goats to our barnyard....so right now he is behaving quite well, I think he is intimidated by them and they could care a less about him.
Denise from Indiana

I can relate VERY well - roosters scare the crap out of me, ever since our barred rock cornered me. Everyone is right - you have to show dominance but I just can't do it either...my DD and DBF can walk right in there and pick him up but he terrifies me. I guess some people have it and some don't...

Maybe I should take him a cup of coffee to get him off on the right foot wonder if he would like cream and sugar? You could be right about it just being a morning thing. Usually I fill the feeder the night before so I am usually out of the pen before they come out of the coop. But last night I had gone out and did not get back until late so I needed to do that this morning.

LiliRaphieroosmama,

He has never gone after my DH, this is the second time he came after me but last time it was more of a warning peck. This time he was after me.

As far as being afraid of your rooster, there are things you can consider that will help you build confidense:

You are at the top of the food chain, not him.

You out weigh him by several times.

You have a reach much longer than he does.

You are stronger, and could easily turn him into a feathered pretzel and leave him just a pile of flesh and broken bones in less than a seconds time, all at your whim.

You are in control of him, he can never win a fight with a human.

Knowing that you are capable of easily killing him (even though you wouldn't) at anytime you deciede to, and knowing that it is only by your choice that he remains unharmed can set you in the right frame of mind to go out and grab him up.

You are in control, and he has no choice in the matter. You are the dominant species.

If the possibility of being clawed or spurred bothers you, prepare yourself by wearing a long sleeve shirt, and even goggles to protect your eyes if you feel the need.